Motherwell booked their place at Hampden with a narrow 0-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Regan Charles-Cook was the hero as his long-range shot flew past Mitov to earn a deserved win.
With a spot in the semi-final at stake, a large Motherwell contingent made the long adventure north to Aberdeen, with over 1000 of the claret and amber faithful in Pittodrie.
There was only one change to the side from Motherwell’s last game against Dundee. Stephen O’Donnell replaced Johnny Koutroumbis, who moved onto the bench.
Motherwell were slow out of the traps, with Aberdeen controlling most of the early exchanges. Ibrahim Said tried to get forward, but the Steelmen were quickly countered and were thankful to see Karlsson’s low shot go harmlessly wide of the post.
It took about half an hour for the visitors to spring into life. Fine work from Charles-Cook on the left set up Tawanda Maswanhise, but he watched his powerful shot fizz back off the woodwork, and Ibrahim Said fired the follow-up over the bar.
Another change came minutes later as Elliot Watt’s inswinging corner found the head of Stephen O’Donnell, but Adil Aouchiche was on hand to acrobatically clear off the line.
Aberdeen were handed a great chance to go into the break with a lead, but somehow Mats Knoester rattled the crossbar from only five yards out. Incredibly, Motherwell almost took the lead as Stamatelopoulos burst through and squared it to Charles-Cook, who looked certain to score but for a fine stop from Mitov.
The Steelmen came out for the second half looking much improved and almost made the breakthrough ten minutes into the half as Emmanuel Longelo’s clipped ball into the box nearly found Stamatelopoulos, but the Aussie couldn’t find the vital touch.
The visiting fans didn’t have to wait much longer to celebrate, though.
The ball was worked down the left and was then teed up for Regan Charles-Cook to fire home via the post for his first Motherwell goal.
It was arguably a deserved lead for the visitors who had begun to take hold of the match.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had another good chance after Maswanhise got in down the right, but he couldn’t divert his header on target.
The home side came knocking, but the Motherwell defence stood firm, giving little away, and survived a scare from Nicky Devlin’s header from a corner, which again came back off the woodwork.
The Steelmen blew a sigh of relief, and John Beaton blew his whistle to send Motherwell into back-to-back Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.
Motherwell Team: Ward, O’Donnell, Gordon, Welsh, Longelo, Watt, Fadinger, Said, Maswanhise, Charles-Cook, Stamatelopoulos.
Motherwell Subs: Oxborough, Koutroumbis, Balmer, Halliday, McColm, Priestman, McAllister, Osong, Ross.
